After failing to win the AFC East title last year at the hands of the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills should bounce back and win the division in 2026 with Josh Allen and the Bills' hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Allen is ready to come in and focus on getting his offense up and running to help the fans establish trust with the team. At the same time, new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard brings his former playing knowledge and his aggressive approach to help the Bills record more sacks than they did in 2025.
Can the Bills win the AFC East Title in 2026?
Jarrett Bailey from SB Nation assembled a list of NFL predictions ahead of the 2026 season. Bailey predicts that the Buffalo Bills will take back the AFC East, with Josh Allen throwing for 42 touchdowns and new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard taking charge of the defense, exciting the fans with a strong 11-6 finish.
"Buffalo gets back to the top of the East, winning 11 games off the strength of Josh Allen's 42 total touchdowns and a defense that finds its groove under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard." Bailey noted.
To Bailey's point, it hasn't been since the 2020 NFL season that Josh Allen totaled a career-high 45 touchdowns (37 passing, 8 rushing) and led the Bills to a 13-3 record and the Bills' first AFC East title since 1995.
If Allen can score at least 42 touchdowns this season and the defense under Leonhard continues to grow throughout the year, the Bills will achieve their goal of going 11-6 and reclaiming the AFC East title from the Patriots.
The strong-armed quarterback's leadership and past performances directing the team have shown that he can carry the Bills to AFC East titles and playoff appearances with his arm and legs, prompting belief in the team's success. And with a defense that should finally perform better under Leonhard, especially in the playoffs, this combo could finally help the team win its first Super Bowl in franchise history.
With Leonhard now running the defense, they will adopt a high-energy, planned approach, showing a deliberate scheme to engage and excite fans.
He will incorporate a new multiple 3-4 front, moving away from last year's traditional 4-2-5 nickel. It will allow an attacking pass rush centered on creating pressure to carry out third-and-longs, resulting in 5-man blitzes on crucial money-down plays to achieve more sacks and forced turnovers.
Only time will tell whether Allen can total 42 touchdowns, win 11 games, and have the new defensive unit support him, helping the Bills finish 11-6 and win the AFC East in 2026.
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